Katy, TX News (July 2, 2014) – In line with the goals of improving safety, enhancing connectivity, and relieving congestion, the Texas Transportation Commission recently moved forward on additional segments of Houston’s 180-mile outer loop known as the Grand Parkway. The Commission authorized a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the development, design and construction, as well as the potential maintenance of all or part of Segments H, I-1 and I-2 of the SH 99 Grand Parkway as a design-build project.

“This design-build approach is helping expedite a critical project in the greater Houston area,” said Commissioner Jeff Moseley, Texas Transportation Commission. “These segments will enhance a dynamic transportation corridor that will help grow jobs and drive the state’s $1.5 trillion economy. I am pleased to see this project moving forward on behalf of the Houston area and the entire state of Texas.”

The project includes Segments H&I which run 37.5 miles from North US 59/I-69 to I-10 east and will include one to two lanes each direction with limited frontage roads through Montgomery and Liberty counties. It will also complete the toll lanes on Segment I-2 which runs 15.3 miles from I-10 east to SH 146. The estimated total construction cost is $1.2 billion.

Today, TxDOT has approximately 41 miles of the SH 99 Grand Parkway open to traffic, with another 38 miles anticipated to open in late 2015. When complete, the 180-mile highway will include seven counties and circle the Greater Houston region.